The human papillomavirus E7 gene product is an oncoprotein with properties similar to those of the adenovirus ElA proteins. The human papillomavirus E7 proteins possess substantial amino acid sequence similarity to portions of conserved regions 1 and 2 of ElA, and the human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein trans-activates the adenovirus E2 early promoter. Analysis of point mutations in the E2 promoter indicated that the E2F recognition sites were critical to E7 stimulation. In contrast to the

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... ctivation of the E2 promoter, E7 could not trans-activate various other ElA-inducible promoters. Although the promoter specificity for E7 differs from that of 13S ElA trans activation, it is very similar to activation by the ElA 12S product. Moreover, analysis of the E7 protein has suggested that amino acid sequences critical for trans activation include those shared with ElA within conserved region 2. Biochemical studies demonstrate that the E7 protein, like the 12S ElA product, can alter the interaction of cellular factors with the E2F transcription factor. We therefore conclude that E7 trans activation is functionally related to that mediated by the 12S ElA product.